Steering mechanism for automobiles.



G. A. READ/l.

STEERING MECHANSM FOR AU 10EUR" i-.r

APPLluAmoN ULEB JULY w15 "sonnen A'. 'riss-nr, or BUFFALQ, nsw irons.'v

erneuern@ msnmsm nos. e-Uorsonuns.

To all 'inkom 5 may afi/Mera 53e 1t known that l, Gonnon A. Beers, s

.citizennf the United States, residing at Buisslo, tho'oonnty of Erie and Etats 0i New York, Ahave. Airwsnted sortais new end useful Luprevemsnts in Steering Moshetxsm for Automobiles, of whoh .the follow ing .is 1s 'speocation er zautomobilss .and has particular irslen to moiw of ,this .onerosi-er .which 'lafsironseueed that thoaesrng handle or .-menber, :normally held by the operator, may be readily turned by him for swinging the steering wheels of @1e-vehicle out positively prevented fnom beingprnovsd or turned by the swinging movement of shesteering wheels.

im important object of this invention is to provide mea-ns of the .sb-ove msntioned Character, which will elimina/t@ the vibmsions and slwoks to the steering handle or member, wiwi: is normally hold by the operstor, dueto .the smeris@ Wheels sit-riliing curbs-stones or other obstructions inthe medwsy., :whereby the steering handle or member will be torn or erked from the hands ci the operator `and the automobile eeuscditosuddenly les-ve 'its .course of travel. 'A iurther obeot of this invention 1s `to provide steering mechanism of shove mentioned chemnter, willich is simple in eoxir struction, chespto nnuiufacture, srong and durable.

Other .ohyeots Amd advantages of this in ventiofn will he apparent during the. course of the following .desoription numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout :the same, Figure i fm an enlarged-plan View .of the elle ineens, Fig. 2 isis transverse sectional vView tsen en lime Q--f of Fig. l, Fig. is :i pis-ln 'view of the sheer-ing mechanism' do." :sus 4 is o. .detail 'longitudinal view through the yielding connecting.; ineens.

In tihe- -dra-\\ings, where-in 'for .the purpose. of illustration, 1 have shown pre erred embodiizeeint -ot' my intentie-n, P nwnerni 4i designates fthe longitudinal of the frame ,of n?. automobile, f nre con neoted in the uson). with :i stati iront iisle 5, as is .custom de -5 has its ends forked for rece. sank-axles Spcoicsio'.; of Letters Estent.

Agsstlml. lsl Jul? 31, will nvontlon relai/3s to steering mecha msm Patented Sept. 29, 19,14.

Semi H0' 782,24@

#3, pivetelly connected therewith, as shown at 7. The stub-axles 6 carry steering Wheels 8, illgiiily Qonctd with the s tub-axles vrire rearwardly extending arms .9, which are pivots-113 Gomyqted by a trevopse rod 10, ss shown. Bigidly oonnetfd With one of the -stubselcles 6 is `eforwrml steeringrm 1.1, having pivotal Connection, as shown at with u forward longitudinal rod 13 numeral 14 designates an upstanding steering sost, pfsrnb arranged at the left side of the eutomoile. At its lower end Vthis steering post hes an inwardly. extending erm l5, rigidly connected therel/11th5S hzving pivotal Connection with s. rear longitudinalrod 16. Bigidly eonnejcted with the nppsr and of thestaering ost 14 is s smearing handle or member l which is .sdpted to be held in .the hands o f -the operator, of s eustomsry, Y

The humoral 18 designates a oas'ng or hos/Ising, provided upon one longitudinal ed f with s lstera'lly extending flange 19, wiron A.1s rlgidlyonnected with one longitudmsl boom 4; by V:mans of bolts 20 or the like. The top O f thessilg 18 is normally .closed by a removable top' or lid 21,l as .shown The ends 22 vof the casing 18 are' proijided with bearings' 23 and 2.4 1 forte oen/mg respectively the forward and rear' ollgitlsdinal rods i3 and 16. Slidably monuted upon the forward longitudinali-'od ,i3-as s slseve, disposed' between stop rings .or flanges 9,6 and 27v whichs'erve to positively limit the longitudinal movement of the sleeve 25 in .both directions. Disposed .upon opposite Sides of (hdsl-@eve 25 are rear- I'nihe eoompsnymg drawings., forming (L part of Lthis opsomming-and in which ,l1-ka werdly extending alf-Shaped arms 28, having' pimtaifwoomootion with the sleeve 25, as shown Lfshsped-.arms 28 :ire oonneoted widi cher A .on bra-ke shoes 30, as shown et 3l. These shoes are disposed upon opposioe sides of the rhar'longitrudinal rod i i5 :and are adopted t@ engage with the longitudinal sides 32 of the easing or housing l, as shown. The mwneml 33 designates u. tQggle-joint sti.uo tui`e,`eomprising arms or lowers 34:, 35, 36, 84nd 3,7.V At .their outer ends, :the arms or Vlevers 34' and 35' are pivotull'y CofweCte-d with the adjacent shoe 30, us @own @$58. The outer .ends of the arms und 3.2 are pivotal-ly connected with the ends of the ,nr/ms or levers .3d and 36 are 11mvided Awith openings for receiving a v dino-ent shoe 530as shown at 39. The .inner pin or bolt 40, extending into a longitudinal slot 41, formed in the rear longitudinal rod I 16. The pin or bolt 40 is normally disposed with openings for receiving a pin or bolt 43, j

disposed within a longitudinal opening or slot 44, such pin or bolt normally engaging the rear end wall 45 of the longitudinal opening or slot 44.

At its rear end the forward longitudinal rod 13 is provided with an opening or recess 46, for receiving the forward end of the rear longitudinal rod 16, as shown. Rigidly connected with the forward end of the rod 16 is a .transverse pin or bolt 47, operating within elongated slot or Slots 48, formed in the rear end of the rod 13, as shown. The pin or bolt 47 is normally disposed in the central portion of the slot or slots 48, whereby the rod 16 may'partake of restricted longitudinal movement in either direction with relation to -the rod 13. Disposed upon opposite sides of the rod 13 are L-shaped arms 49 and 50, which are rigidly coimected and preferably cast integral therewith. These arms are disposed above and near the arms or links and 37 respectively, as shown. The arms 49 and 50 ycarry at their rear ends pins or bolts 51 and 52 respectively, upon which are disposed blocks 53 and 54. Disposed upon opposite sides of the block 53 are suitably stid compressible coil springs and 56 engaged by approximatelyy hook-shaped links 57 and 58 respectively. The link 58 is pivotally connected with the arm 34, as shown at 59, and

' the link 57 is pivotally connected with the arm 35, as shown at 60. The block 53, and associated elements are mounted within a casing or housing 61, slidably mounted upon the elements 57 and 58 and connected with arm 49, at 51. The block 54 is engaged by suitable sti eompressible ooil springs 63 and 64, which are in turn engaged by ap proximately hook-shaped links 65 and 66. The link 65 is pivotally connected with the arm 36, as shown at 67 and the link 66 is pivotally connected with the irm 37, as shown at 68. VA housin or casing 69 surrounds the block 54 an associated elements, such housing being identical with the housing or easing 61.

The operation of the apparatus is as fob loivsz-'lhe springs 55 and 56 draw the arms 34 and inwardly, while the springs 63 and 64 draw the arms 36 and 37 inwardly, whereby the shoes 36 are held in clamping engagement with the sides of the casing 13. This is when llie mechanism is in its normal locked condition. lt is thus seen that it the steering wheels 8 strike :in obstruction in the ioadbei'l, which would tend to swing them in either direction, such increasingr the clamping engagement between the shoes 30 and the sides 32. This longitudinal movement of, the rod 13 will be very slight as such movement is opposed by the springs 55 rfid 63, which are to be constructed suitably stili', and strong. These springs quickly return the rod 13 to its normal position. The rearward longitudinal movement of the rod 13 iS positively limited b v the engagement of the stop ring 26 with the sleeve 25 which is now being held against longitudinal movement by the locking means. It is obvious that if the rod 13 is moved forwardly, the arms 49 and 50 vand associated elements will swing the arms 34 and 36 forwardly and inwardly whereby the shoes 30 are firmly clamped against the sides 32 of the casing 18. It is thus seen that the slight longitudinal Inoveinent of the rod 13 in either direction cannot be transmitted to the rod 16. lVhen itis` a longitudinal movement of the rod 16.

When the rod 16 is moved forwardly, the pin or bolt 43 being in engagement with the rear end wall 45 of the slot or opening 44, the arms 35 and 37 will be moved forwardly and outwardly, to draw the shoes 30 inwardly out of engagement with the sides 32 of the casing 18. This inward movement of the shoes 30 will also cause the arms 34 and 36 to move outwardly and rearwardly. It is thus seen that upon the forward longitudinal movement of the rod 16, the arms of the toggle-joint structure will be spread or moved apart, whereby the shoes 3() will be moved out of clampingr engagement with the sides 32. The longitudinal movement of the rod 13 in the same direction, is eontinued until the pin or bolt 47 is moved from its normal central position to engage the forward end wall of the slot or openin 48. when further longitudinal movement `o tho rod 16 in the same direction will posilively move the rod 13 in that direction. VUpon the release of the lover or member 17, the springs will instantaneously force the shoes :l0 outwardly :for clamping engage meut with the sides 39, of the casing 18. Win-ii the rod lll moi-eil iearWaNlly, the piu or hell 4l) engaging the forward end wall of the rodl'i, the arms 34 and 36 are moved rearwardly and outwardly. whereby the shoes 30 are moved out o 4lwirsdle or member 17 is rolf-need the spring will instantaneously return the shoe t0 clamping engagement with. the sides 32 of the casing 18. Attention is called to the fact thuis` in the event or' the Wheels becoming* cramped in soft ground or snow, the toggle-joint arms or levers 34, 36, and 35, 37, form levers of' the second class, Wherehy the pressure on the rod 13 is ,double that applied to thel rod 16 by means of the steering handle or member. As Soon as the Vclmnping;tengagement oil the shoes 30 is released, this. leverage is destroyed, and the pressure transmitted directly. i

lt is to-be understood that the form of my invention. herewith shown `and described, is to be token as e. preferred example of the same and that certain changes in the shape, siie and arrangement of parts ma'v be rcsortcd to Without dojg'mrting Alrorny the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoincd claims.

Having described my invention, l claim zN l, ln apparatus of the character described, e plurality of longitudinally movable rode :arranged in cooperative relation, locking Ineens connected with one rod und operated upon the. longitudinal movement of the seme, and ineens connected with the lookin means and with the other rod to rc leaset 1e locking' means upon the longitudi nel movement of the last named rod.

2. ln apparatus of the character deiscrihed, a plurality of longitudinally movd able rods arranged in cud to end relation.

lockingv menus connected. will; one lrmgiudinal rod und operated upon the longitudinal ,movement oii the saine, means connected with the looking moons oud with the other longitudinal rod to rch-:isc the locking menus upon the longitudinal movement of the lost named rod, und connecting' :nouns between the longitudinal rolls whereby one muy move the other upon the release of thc locking menne.

il. ln apparatus o? l; l rhziruclor ilcsfrihed, u plurulitj.' ol' ll'iuggiullinully mov- :ihlo rolls conneclingg means helwocn the sume, means positively preventing one rod from movirmr the other rod. ond means operated upon the slight longitudinal movement of the lust named rod to operate the lust named menne, whereby the los( nuincd rod upon furtherlongitudinal movement thereof in the sume direi-,tion will move the first named rod longitudinally.

4. In apparatus of the character d'escribed, e plurality of longitudinally movable operating amd operated rods disposed in end' to end relation, a fixed structure disposed neuir the rods, brakey shoes pivotally connected with the operated rod and engagimg the fixed' structure, control means for control meansv and the operated rod where by the shoes are forced into clam-ping enlongitudinel movement of the operated rod in either direction, conncotin means between the control means and t e operating rod whereby the shoes aire moved out of engagement with the fixed support upon theI longitudinal movement of thel operating rod in' either direction, and means whereby tho o rating rod will move the operated rod ateer the relesgj of the shoes.

5. In apparatus of the character described, reclprocatory operating and operated elements disposed in end to end relan u,tion brake means connected with the reclpj rocutory operated element and adapted when set to positively prevent the operated element from pertaking of recmroeatory movements in either direction, and means connected with and operated by the movement of the reciprocatory operating element in either direction to release the brake means.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a movable driving element, a' movable driven element disposed near the driving element, a. relatively stutionarystructure disposed near said elements, brake shoes inovuhle into and out of engagement with the relatively stationary structure, Connecting; moans between the broke shoes and the l driven element, u toggle-joint structure conl nccting the hrnke shoes, moons connecting;r l the toggle-joint structure with the driven l element und adapted to operaie the sume for forcing' the shoes into dumping; engagement n ilh the relatively stationary structure upon the movement of' the driven element, and connecting menus hohvoen the driving` cle-v ment und thotogglojoint structure :uluptcd to operato the toggle-joint sirurture to move the shoes, out ol' clamping engagement with ilu` relatively stullonurv structure when thc drivingr clement is moved.

'i'. lu um'mrulus of the character del scrihml, u driving rofl` n driven rod disposed l near tho mmc. u v'olntivcly stationery struc` loro, lu'ulm shox-s disposed upon opposilc illes of' the drivingy rod mid adapted for niowuwnt into und out of engagement with the relativi-ly sutionury structure, u toggle- 4ioiut structure connected with lho hrzlko shoes, spring menus for noi-molly operating (lu: toggloljoint structure to forro the hruko .shoes into engz'lgcmcnt with the relatively stationary elructure, connecting means bethe shoes, connecting means between the gagement with the: fixed structure upon the A tween the spring meeuw ami :im al, fawn gf. and connectlng means belmwn me Mgg@ joint Structure and the living md, 8, In apparatus uf tha? cl'miur scrbed, a eciproc- (my driving :'HL a ciprocatm'y dri'ie: ,fl ',ifjrgmm man same, los-mtion :2mm l jug mams bc: n the reciprmfaory d wf? .-fi awry driven rod, 21mm to limit the mcwemf. that the same pocim moving the driving' wxh the brake means; .fff in (fh inve my@ means operated upon. sQ'nL mm-#mnt 1- Lhe driving rod im .x-cleame (im bln-xke zxwgjy.: and subsequenty mme, the frwn rml 9. In apparatus of the. clmmcte' descrbd, reclprocal'ory Gpeat'ng und opel ated elements diwoscd 1n end u @mi Hlm on, brake means ummefc'cd with ciproatory oparated dcmem und zu* pmi when ser to postivcy prevent the upcmtw a z w3; efenwnsz, shoe-5 arranged engagement with the bff md conh Lm; shoes, h niceand f mmm bfftwaen said L 11;/ und. mditonal im: wmf vmun. wld; :i purity of wwcntmjv ruda adnpwd Lo be, moved. one ilu, when and (me of flinch .iS provided uiu Se 1 .10:1 minimal Sluts, relatively maimlau-v und arranged upon opposite sums U' she wilg, 51mm to engage wih the Lr-mkg, paure o1 niss plvotully connected ahum, pins pivnialy connecting mdb U :he links m said pairs and o ik@ *Gr.,q'tudna slow, means "ring le sin wth one md, and.

fsfnm-i-cing tm ".m wih one mm in wimamy einem L :1 lix my signature n mwen-:wx im... wm xsf.

1li Uli-D0 A BEAM. 

